Hans Goran Ahlstam

Hans Goran Ahlstam, 74, of New Philadelphia, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 13, 2015 in Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia.

A son of the late George Emil and Alise Anna (Warna) Ahlstam, Hans was born April 1, 1940 at Helsinki, Finland. After immigrating to the United States with his family, Hans resided in New Jersey until 2005. After which he moved to New Philadelphia.

Hans graduated from Westwood High School in Westwood, New Jersey and then continued his education at Teterboro School of Aeronautics. He then enlisted with the United States Air Force serving four years while stationed in California.

He had a passion for airplanes and was fortunate to have had a career in which he loved. For more than 36 years Hans worked as an Airplane Mechanic for Delta Airlines at both JFK and Newark Liberty International Airports.

Hans was an attendee of Broadway United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia and was also a member of the New Philadelphia E.A.A. Chapter #1077 at Harry Clever Airport. He also had a love for cars.

Most of all he cherished his family which includes his loving wife, Leena (Tarkela) Ahlstam; his daughter and son-in-law, Nina Ahlstam and Joe Pickett of Ewa Beach, Hawaii and his son, Nikolas Ahlstam of Pasadena, California; his grandchildren, Phyness, Keion and Reise Pickett; his sister, Kristina Bragg of New Philadelphia and nieces and nephews, Brian (Susan) Donnelly of New Bern, North Carolina and their children, Devin and Ian, Karin Brandt of Ann Arbor, Michigan and her children, Jacob, Vivienne and Lily and Tiffany (Seth) Kopp of New Philadelphia and their son, Kamden.

Hans was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Robert Bragg and a nephew, Gary Donnelly.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. A funeral service celebrating Hans’ life will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Bob Kuntz and Rev. Bill Sowers officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Dover Burial Park.

Contributions may be made in Hans’ memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to the New Philadelphia E.A.A. Chapter #1077, 1802 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.